After some grueling hours, the final subject ended. if there is a subject I'm starting to hate. It is probably Painting I. Until now, I'm still out of ideas. Every class with Professor Lind just reminds me how lacking I am and that I can't even start a rough idea for my artwork.

"Hey, Remybear, have you read the group chat?" Maize says.

I shake my head while I gather my brushes. 

"Fleur said let's meet at six thirty. The other guys have errands to make too."

"Okay. I don't mind."

"Then, let's get some snacks after this. I'll buy them too. My treat!"

"I'll take you on that." It's always hard to resist free food.

We visit the cafe outside the university. The one that has been popular for the students lately with their assorted sweets. 

Only half an hour has passed when we return to the university and proceed to the study hall. It's outside the library where we are allowed to have group sessions and can even bring food. Once we enter, Fleur's figure is highly distinguishable as there is no one who dares to sit with her. Even the tables proximately near her are empty.

"Hi."

"Hello."

I and Maize greet simultaneously. Fleur looks up from her phone with a little frown but she quickly smoothens her brow when she recognizes us. Though that did nothing to soften her features since she still resembles what people like to call a resting bitch face.

I think the only time she truly smiles is when she talks to Uriel or Terrence.

"Oh, hi. It's you. Just grab a chair. The boys will be a little late," Fleur informs as we take our seats opposite her.

"Okay. I thought we were too early," Maize says after she places the paper bag on the table. "I brought some milk tea and muffins."

"No thanks. I don't eat sweets," she replies before focusing her attention back on her phone.

"No problem. More portions for us, I guess."

A moment of silence passes at our table. Even Maize who always have a topic to talk cannot do anything to the quietness that surrounds us. In the end, I open my laptop and prepare my notebook.

"I already started with some materials for our report," I say, gesturing to my laptop.

Fleur puts down her phone before casting a stare toward me. "You're the studious type, huh?"

I grimace at her words. Why does it sound like a bad thing in her mouth?

"Anyway, at least we have a start. Let me see," she continues and moves the screen in her direction.

I glance at Maize who is also frowning watching Fleur scrolls. Thankfully, Uriel arrives after a minute. The suffocating air finally stops.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Our professor held us up."

This time when Fleur looks up, her lips curls. "That's why I told you, I'll fetch you so it'll be easier for you."

Uriel chuckles. "I just can't imagine my boss's daughter being my personal driver. I'm sure Mr. Mosheyev will reprimand me."

"Dad won't dare when you have me."

The ambiguous reply almost makes my eyes pop. 'What is going on?'

Uriel turns to us and to my surprise, he sits on our side, just right next to me. We have a six-person table and why will he crowd with us?

The pitter-patter of my chest quickens — suddenly hyper-aware of his presence on my right. The smell of cologne lingers in my nose, even his breathing feels so close in my ears. With this short distance, it is enough to disrupt my whole calmness.

"What's this?" he says, peering at the paper bag.

"Some drinks and food. Maize bought it," I say.

"Uhuh, feel free to take some," Maize follows up.

"Thanks." He grabs a cup so nonchalantly and here I am with my heart beating wildly.

I try to calm down, hoping I won't embarrass myself in front of him.

A phone rings all of sudden, quickly pulling me out of my reverie.

"Oh, Terrence says he can't come. Let's just start without him," Fleur says and we simply nod in agreement.

🎨 🎨 🎨

By eight o'clock, we already fix our things and head out.

"Do you want to go with me? I'll drop you in your house," Fleur suggests but it's strange how there is an expectant look in her eyes.

It's a kind of expression weirdly familiar to me, after all, I also have it when I am still a stupid kid. 'I thought she was dating Terrence?'

Yet the whole afternoon, she's so fully attentive to Uriel as if she likes him, one that's totally not the kind of sibling-like.

"You already know the answer to that," he answers before facing me. "Why don't I walk you two back to the dorm after we send Fleur to the parking lot?"

"Uh sure—"

"Absolutely!"

Maize overlaps my voice. Our gazes lock and there's a touch of teasing shimmering in her eyes.

When my eyes return to Terrence, I catch Fleur looking at us back and forth, as if trying to understand something.

"Let's go then," Uriel says and we drop off Fleur who is still looking like she's in a trance.

We wave our goodbyes before walking back to our dorm.

"Do you still have classes after this?" I say, opening up a conversation since it'll be several minutes till we reach the dorm.

"Already done for today. Wednesdays are mostly free for me. Just have to visit the admin a while ago so I got late."

"This school's admin or your other university?"

"The other one," he replies as he pockets his right hand.

"Wait, you're also studying in different schools?" Maize interrupts, mirroring an exception I must also have when learning about it.

"Yeah. I'm taking a dual degree."

"That's amazing! You're like a superhuman! I can't even handle one and you're actually taking two," she says, full of admiration.

"Thanks." He grins but there's a shadow of bashfulness. I guess it's not just me who feels shy when Maize compliments us with her superfluous words.

With that, the atmosphere lightens and we go back to the dorm at ease.

🎨 🎨 🎨

The next day when the class has ended, we go straight to the study hall to finish our reporting for tomorrow.

This time, we are complete. No wonder some students came to a full stop when passing our table or the fact that we're like a tourist attraction with everyone gawking around us.

However, the rest of them doesn't even feel bothered as we do our work.

Thankfully, we're done earlier than expected. I just can't imagine another hour enduring those eyes looming around me.

"Do you want to go to my studio?" Uriel suggests, leaning on my side.

We still have the same seating arrangement as yesterday. The only change is Terrence seated right in front of me — and probably the main reason I want this to be over with.

It's not only the strangers' stares I have to be aware of. His perceptive scrutiny distracts me from time to time and I can still feel his eyes on me.

"Don't you have class after this?" I ask trying to ignore the watching regard of the two people in front of us.

Only Maize seems oblivious to all of this when I catch her in my peripheral packing up her things.

"It won't take long beside you've been a great help."

"Uh sure?"

"By the way, excuse me, guys. I have to go," Maize says, already standing to leave. "I'll see you later, Remy."

She flees without a word coming from us.

"I'll have to go too," Fleur says. "How about you, Terrence?"

But no one answers her. His eyes are still fixed on mine but it appears blank with no clear expression visible on his face.

"Terrence?" Fleur repeats.

"What is it?" he eventually speaks.

"We're leaving. What about you?"

"I'm going to my studio too." A grin plasters his lips as if he wasn't in daze seconds ago before swiveling to us. "Can I come with you?"

I almost blurt out a no but Uriel has always been easygoing so it hasn't come as a surprise that he agrees.

This time, I can't help peering at Terrence. I really don't get him. How can he look dejected for a second and smug the next?

"I guess, we'll send Fleur to the parking lot again before we go to the Atelier?" Uriel says.

"No problem for me," Terrence follows.

"No thanks. I can handle myself," Fleur states but for some reason, her tone sounds upset.

Just like Maize, she walks out after she speaks without turning her head back.

The guys don't seem to notice it and we exited the study hall a little later.

But things can only go awkward at this point. Uriel starts some small talk but Terrence only answers as short as possible as if his words are worth gold.

It's clear Uriel holds some respect for him but he acts like Uriel is nothing but dirt in his eyes.

'Just what is wrong with him?'

"How long have you been painting?" Uriel questions again.

"Three."

"I'm in grade school since I started. How about you?" I say.

"Younger than I can remember. My parents always loves to paint and I guess I inherited their love for the arts." There's a glint of melancholy but it disappears right away.

"That's nice. I've always been surrounded by art too but only got interested when I'm a little older."

'The moment I realize I don't want to be different from my family.' I continue to myself. There's a subtle pang but I quickly ignore it. I don't want to dampen my mood.

While we continue our chat, Terrence has been completely silent. Serves him right. What's the purpose of talking to someone who can only give dry replies?